"Leatherhead has got a really good reputation in the last couple of years for having many company headquarters.

"I don’t think one company leaving reduces that at all, but it’s disappointing."

Coun Howarth said KBR, Unilever, Leatherhead Food Research, ExxonMobil and other companies were located in Leatherhead. He said: "Every day as many people commute into Leatherhead as leave to work elsewhere. It’s great."

Richard Keel, deputy manager of the Swan Shopping Centre and chamber of commerce director, said: "Any business leaving the town is not a good thing for Leatherhead.

"But there will be a reason why they are considering this. We wish them all the best in the future."